Parochial Work (1893)

Extract from KENT TIMES AND CHRONICLE, DECEMBER 14. 1893.

PAROCHIAL WORK AND THOSE WHO DO IT.

ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST, WATERINGBURY.

Wateringbury is one of the many attractive villages in this neighbourhood.Its cherry, apple, and filbert orchards and hop gardens have long been known and admired as amongst the most fruitful in the county of Kent, which circumstance, with the beauty of its situation, the richness and variety of its scenery, the salubrity of its air, its beautiful meanderingl streams, and its elegant residences, has fixed upon it a character acquired by few, if any, of the surrounding villages.

The Rev. S. W. Phillips, M. A., the Vicar of this parish, finds many generous supporters of parochial work in the occupants of the charming villas with which Wateringbury is well supplied; and no difficulty whatever is experienced in procuring monetary assistance for the charities and benevolent objects of the parish. Very little Nonconformity abounds, but there is one small room where services are held in connection with the Baptist denomination. The Rev. W. Paxton Thorp performs the duties of curate, and the ministrations of the clergy are much valued by the parishioners, who recognise their worth and their hearty desire te do them good.

The Church is an ancient structure, the tower dating back to the 14th century. The registers date beck to 1709, and it is considered probable that the older documents were destroyed in the time of the Commonwealth, which, as is well known, largely affected this neighbourhood. The reredos in the church, with its glass Mosaic work, was given by the Vicar and Mrs Phillips in memory of one of their children. In February 1886 the shingled spire was consumed by fire and the place was seriously injured, but pecuniary aid was speedily forthcoming, and the same year the whole of the damaged portion of the building was restored.

A cemetery was consecrated in February, 1882, about a mile from the church, and its affairs are conducted by a Burial Board of nine members.

The Parish Church is a Gothic structure, and contains several handsome monuments. In the vestry is preserved the "Dumb Borsholder of Chart," and the fact , attaches great interest to Wateringbury, because, as far as can be ascertained, there is only one other parish possessed of this staff. It is made of wood and is about 3 1/2 feet long with a spike at the bottom. It has become perfectly black with age, and formerly this "dumb Borsholder of Chart" exercised the jurisdiction of a peace officer over a district of the parish, and had the privilege of being first called at the Court Leet of the Hundred. and every householder of the district was obliged to pay its keeper one penny annually. The last person who officiated in this capacity was in 1748.

As an example of the liberality exercised by the residents, we may mention that about a couple of months ago Mr. Fremlin and Mr. Jude, the churchwardens presented a new organ, which has been much appreciated and has assisted in effecting a great improvement in the musical portion of the services. During the last ten years nearly £3,000 has been expended on the restoration of the church. Miss Phillips superintends the Sunday Schools which are well supported with teachers, and the children attend in large numbers.

A project, now in contemplation, which would afford additional scope for parochial work, iS the building of a mission room at Pizien well, a distant part of the parish, where a Sunday school might be conducted and services, meetings, etc., held as required. The distance between the existing schools and the proposed new ones is a mile and a quarter, and the convenience accruing is very apparent. Mr Welch is headmaster of the National Schools, concerning which excellent reports and substantial grants have been received. The parishioners regard these Church schools as a very necessary educational establishment, and the voluntary contributions exceed £100 yearly.

Miss Login is accomplishing great things with the Boys' Brigade, which is a capital institution for promoting the well-being and success of the lads after they leave school. The rules are of a comparatively easy character, and the one object in view appears to be the promotion of a company of Chrietian boys. Religion is regarded by some as a dull and monotonous affair. but such an opinion cannot be entertained after one has witnessed the bright and joyous faces of these lads, how they enter heart and soul into the recreation and the various educational classes provided. Miss Login deserves hearty thanks for her assiduous endeavours, which have been crowned with the success they deserved. Miss Deane conducts a wood -carving class, which is attended by many members of the Boys Brigade : and last year the technical education movement supplied nursing and cooking classes, but the carving was selected a substitute this year.

There are two Gardeners Societies connected with the parish, and the Vicar holds the office if President of one society, whilst both hold Summer shows. Mr Thorp has been very successful in his work amongst the men, and every Sunday afternoon he conducts a Bible Class, which is largely attended, and a social meeting is held weekly in connection with this class. The usual Coal and Clothing Clubs and Mothers' Meetings are largely utilised. Dr. 'Fry is President of the Institute, which is opened every day as a reading-room, and games are provided for the members, who have the management of the Institution and the election of officers in their own hands. There are two small Bread Charities, left by Mr H. Wood in 1630, one of which is distributed weekly and the other at more extended intervals. Alderman and Mrs Davies, of Wateringbury Place, are exceedingly kind to the inhabitants of the 'village, and provide theatrical entertainments and tea for the poorer dames at Christmas time, besides displaying the keenest interest in the progress of the Boys' Brigade. Several ladies carry on at Wateringbury a branch of the Girls' Friendly Society, which has succeeded in many places in materially assisting girls in service to keep themselves upright and pure. A communicants' guild is held in the parish monthly for intercessory prayer and instruction and there is a branch of the Diocesan Church Workers' Society. There is one department of parochial work we would draw special attention to, and that is the employment of a nurse for attending to the sick poor gratuitously. Many parishes are only just beginning to realise the value of such an agency. but the benefit resulting to any parish from being possessed of a nurse is immediately apparent. People. who would probably ignore the visits of other parochial officials, gladly accept the assistance of an experienced and devoted nurse; and as opportunity occurs she gives spiritual advice, and frequently prepares the way for the subsequent calls of the clergy and district visitors. A word should be added here as to the self-sacrificing labours of these nurses who are ready at all hours to go forth on their work of love for the poor; and it is no exaggeration to state that lives have been saved by their persevering efforts in following the doctors instruction. There is also a large choral society, which meets weekly during the winter, and gives two concerts during the season.

As we mentioned at the outset, Wateringbury is a great hop-picking centre and when this work commences about 1,800 additional persons come into the parish. The opportunity of aiding them in various ways and imparting instruction is by no means neglected by the parochial authorities, and they are assisted by two paid missionaries, one of whom has attended this district for 33 years in succession at the picking time. Magic lantern addresses are delivered, and tent services held. The good effects of these efforts are often visible, whilst many doubtless return to their homes impressed with the truths they have heard.